In our series ‘trainer insights’ , lead trainer Harley Richards, will be featuring a subject, a topic, a challenge that has emerged during his project management training classes. If you deal with projects on any level, this could well be answer one of the burning questions that has been posed to you or your team.
This week he shares his thoughts on what the term ‘quality product’ really means…
I hear all too often the phrase “this is a quality product”. I always press the individual on this and ask the question “what makes a quality product?” Usually a conversation follows where no real detail is discussed and I am still none the wiser as to whether or not their product is “quality”.
The term “quality” in project management
Lets remove this slang from our language. There is no such thing as a “quality product” but there is such a thing as a “product that meets its’ quality criteria”. That’s much better! Quality criteria: a definition of exactly what a team must produce. It is both qualitative and quantitative. We measure back against the quality criteria to ensure that the product is what it says on the packet.
Why should we define quality when embarking on a project?
There is no use in asking a chef to produce you a “good meal”. This is going to vary for vegetarian, vegan, celiac, keto and other diets and pallets. You must define what your meal must consist of or exclude. The same rules apply when defining your project product! If an Executive, Senior User or Customer has not given you measurable criteria to work with, press them for these details while planning. You will be saving yourself a major headache come project closure as you can relax knowing your product is exactly what was asked for in the first place.
When should we define quality of the products our project produces?
Before we initiate our project, let’s get these details nailed down, made certain. While the project is in the concept / starting up phase, we build on the project mandate and create our terms of reference. This is where you must ensure these quality criteria details are documented in the project product description. This is not be optional like many seem to think it is. Delaying this work leads to significant issues, wasted resources and project failure. Define “quality” early and achieve success later.
Have another question or challenge that you would like Harley to share his thoughts on? Why not let us know.
For more information and training on quality, join Harley on his next project management training course.
Call; 01202 736 373
email: sales@spoce.com
About Harley
Having worked in the industry since 2016, Harley’s experience is vast and knowledge of project management methods is of an elite standard. He has covered a wide variety of roles in a plethora of projects and has worked with some incredible project professionals over the years; there is seldom a scenario that Harley has not encountered.
Residing in Poole, Dorset Harley has specialized in maritime projects and programmes in and around the stunning natural harbour. From project managing major yachting events, to advising on risk management approaches, the natural elements have thrown endless challenges into projects where Harley has strategically extracted the best outcomes from each scenario. These tales make up some of Harley’s most interesting examples used when delivering his training of which attendees enjoy.
SPOCE is proud to have industry leading pass rates for delegates in the PRINCE2® and APM methods which Harley has played a vital part in achieving. Starting his training career in 2019, he would run sessions such as “what makes the perfect business case?” and the much loved “PRINCE2 Practitioner exam workshops”.
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